nc denr highly pathogenic avian influenza recommendations
ABSTRACT
NC DENR HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA RECOMMENDATIONS
Many livestock and poultry diseases are highly contagious and can be spread by people through contact with contaminated clothing, vehicles, and equipment. The mass mortalities caused by disease outbreaks can negatively impact both surface and groundwater resources. This guidance is offered to help protect animal health, to prevent the spread of disease, and ultimately, to protect North Carolina’s environment and natural resources.
August 11, 2015
DENR HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA OVERVIEW The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has a long‐ standing history of response to emergency management‐related events that impact the environment. Response efforts from the department following hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters have provided experience and an internal framework that has prepared the agency to assist in a potential outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported that 48,091,293 birds have been affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) across 15 states (223 total detections) to date. The potential economic impact to the State of North Carolina from HPAI is significant and unprecedented. North Carolina’s poultry industry contributes $34 billion in total economic activity and supports approximately 109,000 jobs, according to recent testimony from North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) State Veterinarian Dr. R. Douglas (or Doug) Meckes at a U. S. House Committee on Agriculture oversight hearing. DENR staff have been identified across the agency to form an internal HPAI task force to assist NCDA&CS and other state agencies in addressing an HPAI outbreak. Specific guidance was developed in collaboration with NCDA&CS on biosecurity, decontamination, burial/disposal, composting/litter disposal, transport/rendering, public water availability and air quality. DENR does not expect to be involved in depopulation, but its role is to ensure environmentally safe inactivation, transport, and disposal of all infected birds, feed, wastes, and other materials. In addition to assembling the guidance that is included within this document, DENR staff have established points of contact within the private disposal industry sector, the N.C. Department of Transportation (NC DOT), and other related areas to ensure that the vast disposal and resource needs can be met during an HPAI event. DENR staff traveled to Minnesota and met with representatives from USDA, Minnesota HPAI incident command and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. This onsite experience, coupled with conference calls with other industry representatives, including Iowa Department of Environment staff, provided the foundation and framework for DENR’s Avian Flu Task Force to provide substantive input on the management of a potential outbreak in North Carolina. Preparation by department staff will continue after the attached guidance is submitted to NCDA&CS, with the focus on a proactive mode regarding HPAI response in North Carolina. The HPAI task force and supporting department staff stand ready to actively participate in this potential state of emergency, which will require additional resources depending on the type of role assigned to staff. At minimum, there will be a need for additional communication equipment (cell phones, laptops, tablets), safety equipment (PPE including N95 respirators), decontamination equipment, and the continued involvement of department and/or division public information officers. If a statewide HPAI impact occurs, HPAI task force members and additional department staff could be called to respond, which would require the redistribution of work assignments.
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In conclusion, the goal of this document and ongoing efforts by the HPAI task force is to ensure that, in collaboration with NCDA&CS, North Carolina is prepared to address an outbreak of HPAI in a manner that preserves our current state of environmental quality and public health while also rapidly deactivating the virus to preserve our state’s robust poultry industry. DENR HPAI Team Members Team Lead – Michael Scott, Division of Waste Management Team Lead/Support/Permitting – Christine Lawson, Division of Water Resources Burial/Disposal – Jason Watkins, Division of Waste Management Composting/Disposal – Tony Gallagher, Division of Waste Management Incineration/Disposal – Michael Abraczinskas, Division of Air Quality Transportation/Rendering – Wes Hare, Division of Waste Management, Wilmington Regional Office Biosecurity – Buster Towell, Division of Water Resources, Raleigh Regional Office Decontamination – Jeff Poupart, Division of Water Resources Incident Command – Steve Lewis, Division of Water Resources Water Supply – Rebecca Sadosky, Division of Water Resources Specific questions related to this document may be directed to Michael Scott at 919‐707‐8246 or [email protected].
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Table of Contents DENR HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA OVERVIEW ......................................................................... 1 GUIDANCE FOR BIOSECURITY FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA ................................................................................. 5 VEHICLES ................................................................................................................................................... 5 PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................................. 5 OTHER BIOSECURITY CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................... 6 GUIDANCE FOR DECONTAMINATION ACTIVITIES AT FACILITIES IMPACTED BY AVIAN INFLUENZA ............ 7 REGULATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 7 SITING ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 REDUCTION OF SURFACE RUNOFF FROM DECONTAMINATION ACTIVITIES ............................................ 8 GUIDANCE FOR BURIAL OF MASS MORTALITY FROM AVIAN INFLUENZA .................................................... 9 RECOMMENDED SITE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA .......................................................................................... 9 RECOMMENDED DEPTH TO SEASONAL HIGH WATER TABLE AND COVER CRITERIA ............................... 9 RECOMMENDED RECORD KEEPING / POST‐BURIAL CRITERIA................................................................ 10 RECOMMENDED COLLECTIVE BURIAL SITES CRITERIA ........................................................................... 10 GUIDANCE FOR COMPOSTING OF MASS MORTALITY FROM AVIAN INFLUENZIA ...................................... 11 RECOMMENDED SITE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (OUTDOOR COMPOSTING) ............................................ 11 RECOMMENDED BUFFERS AND SETBACKS (OUTDOOR COMPOSTING) ................................................. 11 RECOMMENDED PROCESS MANAGEMENT CRITERIA ............................................................................ 11 RECOMMENDED MONITORING CRITERIA .............................................................................................. 12 RECOMMENDED STORAGE AND LAND APPLICATION OF COMPOST CRITERIA ...................................... 12 RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL COMPOSTING CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................... 13 GUIDANCE FOR INCINERATION OF MASS MORTALITY FROM AVIAN INFLUENZA ...................................... 14 TRANPORTABLE INCINERATORS ............................................................................................................. 14 PERMIT EXEMPTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 14 OPEN BURNING ....................................................................................................................................... 15 GUIDANCE FOR TRANSPORTATION AND RENDERING OF MASS MORTALITY FROM AVIAN INFLUENZA ... 16 TRANSPORTATION .................................................................................................................................. 16 RENDERING ............................................................................................................................................. 16 TRANSPORT LOADING EXAMPLES ........................................................................................................... 17
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Table of Appendices BIOSECURITY
Appendix 1
DECONTAMINATION
Appendix 2
BURIAL
Appendix 3
COMPOSTING
Appendix 4
INCINERATION
Appendix 5
TRANSPORTATION AND RENDERING
Appendix 6
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Appendix 7
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GUIDANCE FOR BIOSECURITY FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA Many livestock and poultry diseases are highly contagious and can be spread by people through contact with contaminated clothing, vehicles and equipment. The mass mortalities caused by disease outbreaks can negatively impact both surface and groundwater resources. This guidance is offered to help protect animal health and prevent the spread of disease. In the event of an outbreak, staff should only enter affected areas with authorization from the established Incident Command Center. The following are general guidelines to be used when visiting affected farms, compost sites and disposal sites. These measures may be updated if the HPAI threat to North Carolina becomes more imminent and the responsibility of DENR staff becomes more defined.
VEHICLES
Vehicles should be washed on a regular basis, preferably prior to visiting farms and after site visits, especially after being on an affected farm. The interior should be vacuumed and floor mats should be disinfected using a spray disinfectant. Vehicles need to be disinfected using only products that have been approved by the EPA for use on Avian Influenza. Tires, fenders and vehicle undercarriages should be sprayed prior to farm site entry and after leaving the site. Vehicles entering or exiting sites requiring active decontamination should adhere to the established protocols. Park vehicles outside of the “dirty zone.” Unless otherwise directed, park vehicles at least 50 feet from any confinement house, mortality composter or burial site. Do not park downwind from building ventilation fans. Whenever possible, avoid areas where feed trucks, live haul trucks and rendering trucks may travel or congregate.
PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT
Follow all Incident Command requirements for personal protective equipment. Rubber boots or disposable boot covers shall be worn during the entire site visit. Rubber boots should be disinfected prior to leaving the facility. Disposable boot covers, along with any gloves or other personal protective equipment, such as Tyvek coveralls, should be disposed of on the farm when possible. If on‐site disposal is not available, staff should be equipped with heavy‐duty trash bags of a size sufficient to hold the contaminated clothing. Hands should be cleaned and sanitized before leaving the site. Any sampling devices or tools used while working on the farm or at off‐site burial sites should be cleaned and disinfected prior to leaving the site. Observe any down times as prescribed by USDA, NCDA&CS, and/or DENR between visits. This time may vary among agencies and depending on the severity of a particular situation.
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OTHER BIOSECURITY CONSIDERATIONS There may be affected areas of the state that warrant the establishment of “clean” and “dirty” travel corridors. Responding staff should become fully aware of this designated status if and when it is put in place, and must seek permissions from the Incident Command. As in other emergency situations that have occurred in North Carolina, such as hurricane response, it is recommended that responding staff carry the following items in the event of required duty away from home for more than one day at a time: an extra full change of clothing, cell phone and charger, cash or credit cards, and other personal items, including medications.
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GUIDANCE FOR DECONTAMINATION ACTIVITIES AT FACILITIES IMPACTED BY AVIAN INFLUENZA All vehicles and equipment leaving a poultry facility affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) will require decontamination as described by N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services procedures. Decontamination (Decon) activities will likely involve wash down with a detergent‐water mix followed by a disinfecting agent. Decon flows may contain detergents, surfactants and various disinfecting agents, and, if not properly controlled, could result in negative environmental effects not limited to macroinvertebrate and fish kills, foaming, turbidity and sediment runoff. Public observation of negative environmental effects may create undue concern over the safety and effectiveness of the overall decontamination process. This guidance is designed to minimize potential negative environmental impacts by managing the wastewater flows from Decon activities.
REGULATIONS The North Carolina rules for both Discharges to Surface Waters (15A NCAC 02H .0106) and Waste Not Discharged to Surface Waters (15A NCAC 02T .0113) deem permitted discharges to surface waters and to the ground surface associated with biological or chemical decontamination activities under the following provisions:
Activities are performed as a result of an emergency declared by the Governor or the Director of the Division of Emergency Management. Activities are conducted by or under the direct supervision of the federal or state on‐ scene coordinator. The Division of Water Resources (DWR) is informed prior to commencement of the discharge from the decontamination activity. No ground or surface water standards are contravened. If it is determined that standards are violated, an individual permit may be necessary.
SITING It is desirable to place the Decon site a significant distance from barns and other siting considerations to reduce the potential for environmental impacts. These considerations include distances from streams, water supply wells, and conduits to surface waters and site slopes. It is recommended that DENR DWR Regional Office staff be contacted to assist in siting Decon stations. Recommended setbacks for Decon stations are:
100 feet from intermittent and perennial streams 25 feet from ephemeral streams, waterways, and ditches 100 feet from any well (with exception of monitoring wells)
Alternative setbacks may be determined based on site‐specific criteria.
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REDUCTION OF SURFACE RUNOFF FROM DECONTAMINATION ACTIVITIES Infiltration of Decon water to the soil is preferred over discharge to surface waters. Recommended steps to maximize infiltration to the soil are listed below:
Minimize soil compaction in infiltration areas by establishing driving routes to and from vehicle Decon areas that do not cross the infiltration areas. Elevate area(s) where vehicles are parked for washing by using gravel or aggregate rock layers, grates, or other mechanical designs. This keeps soils from becoming saturated, which prevents the formation of tire ruts, increases overall site stability, and minimizes the release of solids. Consider the above setback requirements and site Decon stations as far as practicable from surface water and wells. Recommended activities to facilitate infiltration of Decon flows include: o Placement of hay bales, sorbent sleeves, soil swales, or any other physical barrier in preferred pathways (e.g. drainage swales, channels, or roadside ditches that flow to surface water) to reduce the flow of water and allow for maximum infiltration. o If a suitable site capable of keeping the Decon water out of surface waters is not available, construction of a temporary catchment may be necessary. The catchment should be large enough to hold, at a minimum, the expected discharge on the most active day. An Authorization to Construct permit is not necessary; however, DWR regional staff should be consulted prior to all Decon activities and construction of temporary catchments. Commonly accepted engineering practices should be implemented. Decon activities should not occur during rain events. If Decon activities must occur during rain events, efforts should be taken to reduce runoff of pollutants and wastewater flows.
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GUIDANCE FOR BURIAL OF MASS MORTALITY FROM AVIAN INFLUENZA The goal of these recommendations is to properly dispose of all animal carcasses that result from the response to an avian influenza outbreak in a timely, biosecure, aesthetically acceptable and environmentally responsible manner if disposal and/or burial on farms is the method approved by the state veterinarian. In the recommendations listed below, the term burial site refers to the disposal footprint, not the farm.
RECOMMENDED SITE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Perform adequate assessment of on‐site burial areas prior to establishment of burial sites/pits to prevent contamination of groundwater or surface water by either HPAI or conventional pollutants such as dissolved solids, nitrate or ammonia from decaying carcasses. Adequate assessments for on‐site burial should initially consider County Soil Surveys for determining suitable areas by soil map unit, confirmed by on‐site assessments from qualified individuals. In cases where the burial site is located in a waste disposal spray field, the burial site is not available for subsequent waste spraying until a new, viable crop is established on the site. The burial site should be located so as to minimize stormwater runoff. Burial is not permitted in the tiled area of an underdrained field.
RECOMMENDED DEPTH TO SEASONAL HIGH WATER TABLE AND COVER CRITERIA
(Option 1) The site where dead animals are to be buried should have a separation to the seasonal high water table based on the following soil textural classes: Soil Group 1: sandy texture soils‐ > 36 inches and soil textures coarser than loamy sand may require a greater separation distance to the seasonal high water table; Soil Group 2: coarse, loamy and fine loamy texture soils‐>24 inches; Soil Group 3: clayey texture soils‐>18 inches. (Option 2) Burial sites for dead animals should be at least 36 inches above the seasonal high water table. Soil textures coarser than loamy sand may require a greater separation distance to the seasonal high water table. There should be at least 36 inches of soil covering any buried animal. This can be interpreted to mean soil mounded over the animals above the adjacent ground level.
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RECOMMENDED BUFFERS AND SETBACKS
The burial site should be:
At least 50 feet from the property boundary unless the owner of the adjacent property is the same person or entity. 300 feet from any existing stream or public body of water and at no time within the regulated floodway of any waters of the state. 300 feet from any existing public water supply well. 100 feet from any other type of existing well. The burial site cannot include any portion of a waste lagoon or lagoon wall.
Alternative setbacks may be determined based on site‐specific criteria.
RECOMMENDED RECORD KEEPING / POST‐BURIAL CRITERIA
A record of the location of the approved site (GPS latitude and longitude coordinates if available) and the burial history of each burial site, to include the date, species, head count and age, should be kept by the property owner and reported to the local health director, the state veterinarian and the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Consider deed notices for burial site locations. The purpose of recording the disposal location is to provide actual and constructive notice to subsequent purchasers of the property described herein and to reduce any risk to public health, safety or the environment from either the improper disturbance of the waste or from development in proximity to the waste. A post‐disposal environmental assessment should be considered for on‐site burial or mounding of more than 250,000 birds (to include a minimum of three monitoring wells, with one well located upgradient of groundwater flow). Surface water sampling may also be considered.
RECOMMENDED COLLECTIVE BURIAL SITES CRITERIA A collective burial site may be designated to serve multiple farms in the event of a large‐scale emergency when individual farm sites are not available. In addition to the siting criteria noted above, in order to establish a collective burial site, it should be constructed with, at a minimum, a 1.25 x 10(‐6) cm/sec clay liner at least 18 inches in thickness. In addition, DENR recommends that collective burial sites of more than 250,000 birds be located at least 300 feet from any residential dwelling. Post‐disposal assessment as noted above would be recommended for any collective burial site. Due to the potential generation of gases from the decomposition of poultry carcasses, DENR recommends monitoring enclosed buildings, spaces, etc. within 500 feet of the disposal area.
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GUIDANCE FOR COMPOSTING OF MASS MORTALITY FROM AVIAN INFLUENZIA Composting has been used successfully to manage mortality from avian influenza outbreaks in a manner that inactivates the virus. The thermophilic temperatures associated with composting have proven to be effective in the management of the virus on the eastern seaboard and throughout other parts of the U.S. The end result of utilizing the compost process to manage mortality from an HPAI outbreak is the production of a material that can have agronomic value and contributes to soil tilth.
RECOMMENDED SITE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (OUTDOOR COMPOSTING)
Perform adequate assessment of outdoor composting areas prior to an HPAI outbreak to prevent contamination of groundwater or surface water by either HPAI or conventional pollutants such as dissolved solids, nitrates or ammonia from decaying carcasses. Adequate assessments for outdoor composting areas should initially consider County Soil Surveys for determining suitable areas by soil map unit, confirmed by on‐site assessments from qualified individuals. The outdoor compost site should be located so as to minimize the effect of stormwater runoff. Composting should not be conducted in the tiled area of an underdrained field.
RECOMMENDED BUFFERS AND SETBACKS (OUTDOOR COMPOSTING)
Compost areas should be at least one foot above the seasonal high water table. Soil textures coarser than loamy sand may require a greater separation distance to the seasonal high water table. 100 feet from residences. 50 feet from the property boundary unless the owner of the adjacent property is the same person or entity. 50 feet from intermittent, perennial streams or public body of water. 25 feet from ephemeral streams, waterways or ditches. 100 feet from an existing well. The previous recommended setbacks may not be needed when composting within a barn.
Alternative setbacks may be determined based on site‐specific criteria.
RECOMMENDED PROCESS MANAGEMENT CRITERIA
Adequate carbon material should be available to ensure that a balanced carbon‐to‐ nitrogen ratio can be created. Sources include woodchips, sawdust, litter, bedding material, hay, etc. Carbon sources with particle sizes greater than .5‐1 inch should not be considered.
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Construct indoor or outdoor windrows with a 12‐15 inch base of carbon material 8‐12 feet wide (alternative sizes may be considered). Use available equipment to combine carcasses and carbon/litter material together prior to placing it on the 12‐15 inch base. Windrow construction should prevent carcass exposure. Construct windrows to a 4‐8 foot height and cap with 12 inches of carbon material. Moisture should be added to keep piles within a 40‐60 percent moisture range. Leachate from the base of the windrow is indicative of excessive moisture within the windrow and additional carbonaceous material may need to be added. Leachate should not discharge to any surface water body, waterway or ditch. Compost should be turned no sooner than what is allowed by USDA requirements for HPAI mortality management. Compost can be moved outdoors in accordance with USDA requirements if indoor composting was utilized initially.
RECOMMENDED MONITORING CRITERIA
Temperatures at 18 and 36 inch depths should be taken every 25 feet of the windrow to ensure adequate temperatures (130 or above) are being achieved at both depths. Temperatures should be monitored the first week to ensure that thermophilic temperatures (>130 degrees Fahrenheit) are reached and again at day 14, for documentation purposes. If elevated temperatures are not reached, the moisture level of the windrows should be measured and possibly corrected. If pile temperatures decrease early in the composting process, there may be inadequate oxygen (
